Sears Island facts for kids
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Native name:
Wassumkeag
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| Geography | |
| Location | Penobscot Bay |
| Coordinates | 44°26′35″N 68°52′39″W / 44.44306°N 68.87750°W |
| Area | 940 acres (380 ha) |
| Administration | |
| State |  Maine |
| Town | Searsport |
| Additional information | |
| Time zone | |
| • Summer (DST) |
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Sears Island is a special place off the coast of Searsport, in Waldo County, Maine. It sits at the top of Penobscot Bay. The native Wabanaki tribes called it Wassumkeag, which means "shining beach."
This island is unique because it's the biggest undeveloped island on the eastern coast of the United States. "Undeveloped" means it doesn't have many buildings or roads. It's also "uninhabited," meaning no one lives there permanently. You can reach it by a special road called a causeway. Sears Island is about 940 acres, which is like 700 football fields! It's officially part of the town of Searsport.
Contents
Island History and Location
How Sears Island Got Its Name
Sears Island was named after a man named David Sears. He was from Boston. David Sears gave a lot of money to help start the town of Searsport. Because of his generosity, the island was named in his honor. Before that, it was known as Brigadier's Island. Even though it's an island, it's owned by the state of Maine. It's still part of Searsport.
The Causeway Connection
About 20 years ago, a causeway was built to connect the island to the mainland. A causeway is a raised road or path across water. Before the causeway, the island was connected by a "tidal bar." This was a strip of gravel that appeared at low tide. People used to drive across when the tide was out. They had to be careful to leave before the tide came back in! If they didn't, their car would be stuck until the next low tide.
Past Life on the Island
Many years ago, there were farms on Sears Island. Families lived and worked there. Today, you can still see signs of these old farms. There are stone cellar holes, which are the remains of old house foundations. You can also see a few small fields that were once used for farming.
Sears Island's Important Location
Sears Island helps protect one of Maine's safest harbors, Stockton Harbor. This harbor is a great place for boats to anchor. It's safe from strong winds and waves. The island's location is also convenient. It's close to other towns like Searsport, Belfast, and Castine. You can drive to Bar Harbor in about an hour. Camden is about 30 minutes south, and Bangor is about 30 minutes north. From the island, you can also see Cape Jellison.
Exploring Sears Island's Nature
Wildlife and Plants
Sears Island is home to many different kinds of living things. You can find various species of birds, mammals, fish, and amphibians here. There's also a wide variety of plant life. It's a rich natural habitat.
Underwater Habitats
The shallow water on the west side of the island is very important. It has meadows of eelgrass. Eelgrass is a special plant that grows underwater. These eelgrass meadows are like nurseries for young fish and shellfish. They provide a safe place for these creatures to grow. This helps keep the fish and shellfish populations healthy in the bigger Penobscot Bay.
What You Can Do on Sears Island
Sears Island is a great place for outdoor activities. You can drive to the end of the causeway. However, you cannot drive your car onto the island itself. Large concrete blocks and fences block the road.
Walking and Biking Trails
Even though you can't drive, you can still explore the island! Visitors are welcome to walk, hike, and bike. There's a main road that goes about 1 mile (1.6 km) down the center of the island. From this road, you get amazing views of Penobscot Bay. You can also see Cape Rosier, Castine, and Islesboro Island.
Beaches and Exploration
Besides the main road, there are many walking trails. These trails zig-zag all around the island. They let you explore different parts of this natural area. Beautiful beaches surround the entire edge of the island. They are perfect for walking and enjoying the views.
